Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Central Mindanao University (CMU) earned recognition at the 4th Women Empowerment and Leadership in Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (WELA) International Conference 2026, bringing home the Best Paper and Best Poster Awards during the event held on March 17–19, 2026, at Cavite State University (CvSU).
With the theme “Inclusive Leadership and Foresight for Sustainable Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources,” the conference gathered delegates from at least eight countries and was supported by key institutions, including Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and the Philippine Commission on Women.
The Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, Dr. Alan P. Dargantes, who also served as an evaluator in the scientific poster competition, led the CMU delegation. He was joined by Dr. Joy M. Jamago, Mr. Nasario P. Mahinay, Dr. Kassey Alssylle T. Dargantes, and Ms. Kristine N. Balucos.
Dr. Jamago received the Best Paper Award under the subtheme Climate-Smart and Resilient Practices for the study titled “Senior Women as Leads in the Identification, Conservation, and Utilization of Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species (NUPS) in Bukidnon, Philippines.” The paper highlights the vital role of senior women in advancing sustainable agricultural practices and biodiversity conservation.
Meanwhile, Dr. KA Dargantes won the Best Poster Award for the study “Gender-Responsive Food Safety in Poultry Markets: Addressing Salmonella Contamination, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Stakeholder Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Mindanao.” The research was also presented as an oral paper under the subtheme Capacity Building and Policy Reform, with Dr. Alan P. Dargantes as co-author.
Mr. Mahinay also presented his study titled “Field Evaluation of Biofertilizer Application on Growth Performance, Nutrient Uptake Efficiency, and Yield of Irrigated Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Musuan, Bukidnon,” under the same climate-smart subtheme.
Completing the delegation, Ms. Kristine N. Balucos documented and benchmarked initiatives at CvSU’s Techno-Demo Farm and Agri-Eco Tourism Park, contributing to CMU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its research, development, and extension (RDE) initiatives.
The delegation recognized the conference as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and benchmarking among state universities, colleges, and partner institutions. The team also encouraged broader participation in future WELA conferences, particularly the 2027 event to be hosted by Mindanao State University Naawan.
CMU also expressed its gratitude to University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe, along with the officials and staff of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, Office of Resource Generation and Management, University Office of Extension, and the University Center for Gender and Development, for their continued support. The team likewise acknowledged Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director of DOST-PCAARRD, for supporting the participation of the paper presenters.
[Information from Dr. Joy M. Jamago, faculty College of Agriculture & Director CMU-CARE]
Photos from 4th WELA Conference
